The impact of rapid economic growth and globalization on zinc nutrition in South Korea.
OBJECTIVE
Zn deficiency may be widespread in Asian countries such as South Korea. However, dietary habits have changed in response to rapid economic growth and globalization. Zn nutrition in South Koreans has therefore been assessed during a period (1969-1998) of unprecedented economic growth.


METHODS
Cross-sectional food consumption data from the Korean National Nutrition Survey Reports (KNNSR) of South Korea at four separate time points (1969, 1978, 1988 and 1998) were used to calculate Zn, Ca and phytate intakes using various food composition tables, databases and literature values. Nutrient values in local foods were cited from their analysed values.


RESULTS
Average Zn intake was 5.8, 4.8 and 5.3 mg/d for 1969, 1978 and 1988 respectively, increasing to 7.3 mg/d in 1998 (73 % of the Korean Dietary Reference Intake). The phytate:Zn molar ratio decreased from 21 to 8 during the study period. Dietary Zn depletion due to marked decreases in cereal consumption, particularly barley which has a low Zn bioavailability, was counterbalanced by marked increases in the consumption of meat and fish, which are also Zn-rich foods. Reduced phytate consumption coincident with increased Zn intake suggests that Zn bioavailability also improved, particularly by 1998.


CONCLUSIONS
Although total Zn intake was not greatly affected over the initial period of economic growth in South Korea (1969-1988), Zn contributions from different food sources changed markedly and both Zn intake and potential bioavailability were improved by 1998. The study may have implications for Zn nutrition in other Asian countries currently experiencing rapid economic growth.
Kwun
In-Sook
IS
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Andong National University, 388 Songchundong, Andong, Kyungpook 760-749, South Korea. iskwun@andong.ac.kr
Do
Mi-Sook
MS
Chung
Hae-Rang
HR
Kim
Yang Ha
YH
Beattie
John H
JH
D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000191:economics*; D002523:Edible Grain; D005399:Fishes; D001467:Hordeum; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology; D008460:Meat / Q000191:economics; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017747:Seafood / Q000191:economics; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D014131:Trace Elements; D010833:Phytic Acid; D015032:Zinc